Pro Gaming: Where It Was and Where It Is

[/media-credit] A common gaming headset.

Back in 2011 the first million dollar gaming tournament was announced for the popular moba game “Dota 2.” Although it was a turning point for professional gamers, and it for shadowed what the future had in store. On August 8th the North American based team “Evil Geniuses” took home $6,634,661 out of a total prize pool of $18,429,613.

To some people, professional gaming is a completely foreign concept, in a interview, Orem High School student Randy Valerio was asked how he felt about the fact that professional gamers are becoming millionaires. He said “I think that’s stupid, they don’t do anything.”

There are people who have no idea events like this were happen and are enthusiastic about it also Micheal Brazier and Maxwell Osler are two such people, are both surprised to hear such an event had happened. When we asked Micheal how he felt about gamers becoming millionaires he said, “That’s great. I wish I was a pro gamer.” and when we asked him and Maxwell their thoughts on it being broadcasted on ESPN and in movie theaters, Micheal said, “It makes me feel like gaming is a sport.” and Maxwell said, “It makes me feel great! It brings video games into our normal media.”

While it’s true for the spectator that gaming is becoming bigger for us to watch, becoming a pro is no easy task. Often requiring thousands of hours of dedication and practice to a single game. Charles Day, a Orem High School student, when asked if he considered gaming to be a hobby or a passion he said “It’s a passion without a doubt” and then in a follow up question of would he be willing to be a pro gamer said, “Yes, if anything I’m trying to be.”

So how far has gaming really come? While it’s true that we have had million dollar tournaments since 2011, pro gaming actually became a thing back in 2002 when groups of “Starcraft Broodwar” players started assembling into teams and playing in organized tournaments for prize pools that were only a few thousand dollars. Since then Esports has blown up. Pro gamers are considered celebrities with constant tournaments of at least $100,000 and often million dollar tournaments. Gaming has come millions of dollars further than where it started back in 2002, and will continue to grow into the future.